The LaGrange Gators suffered through some lean times in recent years, but circumstances have changed at John J. Mims Stadium.

The Gators are 5-1 for the first time in more than two decades and riding a four-game win streak.

The change has been quick under second-year head coach Idaibi Ogbanga after winning one game in his first season. The Gators won seven games from 2017 to 2022 with winless seasons in 2018 and ’21.

“I think everything is clicking,” Ogbanga said. “It’s all at the right time. We’re just trying to take it one day at a time.”

“It brings excitement to the fans and the community. It’s exciting for the seniors to say they finally have a winning season. They can go out with a winning season. So it’s just very exciting to see that because they set the foundation for us for years to come right now.”

The Gators (5-1, 1-0) enter the most crucial part of their schedule. How the next four games shake out will have a major impact on their power ratings. They sit at No. 15 in Nonselect Division II and are on the cusp of hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2015. They hit the road the next two weeks at Eunice (0-6, 0-1) and DeRidder (3-3, 0-1) then finish the regular season with home games against Iowa (5-1, 1-0) and Leesville (4-2, 0-1).

“We still got a whole other half of a season to go, and this is the tougher half of our season,” Ogbanga said. “Three of them are definitely playoff-caliber teams.

“We get to test where we’re at, as far as going and preparing for the playoffs. So it’s a great test, a great opportunity and a good challenge.”

Several underclassmen were thrust into starting roles last year, Ogbanga said, but it is paying off, especially on the defensive side, run by coordinator Alvinosky Lafleur, a former standout for the Gators. They have gone from allowing more than 40 points a game in 2023 to 19.7. Seniors Tay’sean Harris (strong safety), Stephen Coleman (linebacker) and Brayden Williams (defensive lineman). Coleman posted 18 tackles and broke up four passes in his last two games.

“Those three kids have been playing phenomenal lights-out football,” Ogbanga said. “They are understanding their keys, flying to the ball, making sacks, being where they are supposed to be and just making athletic plays.”

Freshman safety Landon Mitchell has matured beyond expectations in his first varsity season. He leads the Gators with five interceptions after picking off two passes last week.

“He has the most picks on the team right now, sitting at five interceptions,” Ogbanga said. “For a freshman, that’s big.”

The offense, led by coordinator Jules Sullen, has been doing its part. The ground game has been strong lately led by running backs James Butler and Dillon Green and quarterback Patrick Bertrand. The trio combined for 862 yards and seven touchdowns in that time.

“Dylan Green and James Butler have been phenomenal and the offensive line,” Ogbanga said. “Credit needs to go to the offensive line as well.

“They’ve been blocking their butts off. But those two kids are a sophomore and a junior, and most of my offensive line comes back next year. All of them are sophomores and juniors. Patrick Bertrand is running the ball well too. He’s been taking a lot of the load too.”